Teenagers and the Plastic Surgery Epidemic Essay - 1090 Words

Today, an overwhelming number of American teenagers choose to alter their body in order to fit the unrealistic standard of physical attractiveness created by our beauty-obsessed culture. Teens feel an immense amount of pressure to look â€Å"beautiful† from the media, peers and even parents. Teenagers are going to extreme lengths to reach this physical perfection, but when it comes down to it, just how far is too far? The numbers of teens going through with plastic surgery is startling and will continue to rise as America falls in to a beauty obsessed epidemic. The most drastic method used for mega alterations among teenagers is plastic surgery. There are two types of plastic surgery: reconstructive and cosmetic (Monohan).†¦show more content†¦Teenagers look beyond these risks in order to gain a more beautiful appearance. The media is one of the biggest influences when it comes to teens altering their body. Society today has brain washed American teenagers into belie ving that the only way a person can be seen as beautiful is if they look like the images they see plastered on billboards, on television, in movies and on the cover of magazines. Everywhere teenagers look, they are presented with pictures of idealized, saturated, air brushed models. Viewing these images plants a strong desire in many teens to reach an utterly attainable physical perfection. Research shows that teens active in pop culture and the media are more likely to alter their bodies in a way that fits with societies outlook on â€Å"beauty† (Mann). Teenagers are greatly affected by what they see in the media and who they look up to. When they see all of the celebrities constantly altering their bodies to look a certain way, they want to too. Years ago, plastic surgery was only available for the rich and famous. Today plastic surgery is cheaper and more popular, making it more common around the country. TV shows that depict plastic surgery such as â€Å"Extreme Makeover,† â€Å"The Swan,† and MTV’s â€Å"I Want a Famous Face,† have planted the desire in young women and men to change their appearance. These television shows make plastic surgery look like a simple procedure where everyone leaves happy.Show MoreRelatedThe Age Of The Cosmetic Epidemic1042 Words   |  5 Pages(Unknown). Barbie was the new thing; she was beautiful, blonde, and seemingly perfect. Children and parents even to this day both want to be just like the blonde haired, blue-eyed bombshell. It is obvious people will go through what ever measures to be plastic just like her. An overwhelming amount of Americans teens are choosing to change their appearance to fit into a highly unrealistic and unattainable standard of beauty that was created and forced upon us by our physically obsessed culture. 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